Inverters in your wagons

The Tardis factor (interiors , awnings, roofs etc)

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

C22
Registered user
Posts: 26
Joined: 17 May 2010, 13:51
80-90 Mem No: 8880
Location: Hampshire

Inverters in your wagons

Post by C22 »

Hi , do any of you use an inverter in your vw's,
how do you find them for general use
if so can you recommend one to me please
1985 Camper ---- It was a 1600 Diesel but I converted it to a Petrol

User avatar
MrMagoo
Registered user
Posts: 237
Joined: 15 Aug 2009, 08:35
80-90 Mem No: 7253
Location: Combe Martin North Devon/Birth place Bolton Come on you whites.
Contact:

Re: Inverters in your wagons

Post by MrMagoo »

C22 wrote:Hi , do any of you use an inverter in your vw's,
how do you find them for general use
if so can you recommend one to me please
Hi
I fitted a 800watt one in my van great little item, Tv , phone etc ect.

User avatar
Pepperami
R.I.P.
Posts: 4655
Joined: 04 Jan 2008, 10:56
80-90 Mem No: 4608
Location: Harleston, Norfolk.

Re: Inverters in your wagons

Post by Pepperami »

We used one the other weekend when Mrs Pep wanted to use the computer to do some work. No problems worked great! Ours is just a 150w one I think that clips on to the leisure battery.
fullthrottlejunkies.org

User avatar
horns
Registered user
Posts: 2170
Joined: 19 Apr 2009, 13:44
80-90 Mem No: 6743
Location: London

Re: Inverters in your wagons

Post by horns »

I carry around one of those little can-shaped ones that fit in a cup holder for emergency use, but I prefer to run everything off 12V when not on hook-up - it just seems simpler.
1986 Westfalia Joker 1.6TD

User avatar
andisnewsyncro
Registered user
Posts: 1074
Joined: 27 Jan 2007, 17:43
80-90 Mem No: 3311
Location: Retford. North Nottinghamshire

Re: Inverters in your wagons

Post by andisnewsyncro »

if it will run off 12v then let it run off 12 v, you waste a lot of energy coverting twixt 220 ac back to 12v DC.
They are useful to have for "emergencies" - charging phones, laptops etc but you can't really rely on them for too long without a lot a lot of forward planning - working out your amperage etc.
What a long strange trip it's been

User avatar
andisnewsyncro
Registered user
Posts: 1074
Joined: 27 Jan 2007, 17:43
80-90 Mem No: 3311
Location: Retford. North Nottinghamshire

Re: Inverters in your wagons

Post by andisnewsyncro »

if it will run off 12v then let it run off 12 v, you waste a lot of energy coverting twixt 220 ac back to 12v DC.
They are useful to have for "emergencies" - charging phones, laptops etc but you can't really rely on them for too long without a lot a lot of forward planning - working out your amperage / wattage useage etc.
What a long strange trip it's been

C22
Registered user
Posts: 26
Joined: 17 May 2010, 13:51
80-90 Mem No: 8880
Location: Hampshire

Re: Inverters in your wagons

Post by C22 »

I'm thinking of the laptop mainly do these have any safety features so they wont blow a laptop to bits
1985 Camper ---- It was a 1600 Diesel but I converted it to a Petrol

User avatar
horns
Registered user
Posts: 2170
Joined: 19 Apr 2009, 13:44
80-90 Mem No: 6743
Location: London

Re: Inverters in your wagons

Post by horns »

Just get a 12v adaptor for your laptop. Much easier and less wasteful.
1986 Westfalia Joker 1.6TD

User avatar
andisnewsyncro
Registered user
Posts: 1074
Joined: 27 Jan 2007, 17:43
80-90 Mem No: 3311
Location: Retford. North Nottinghamshire

Re: Inverters in your wagons

Post by andisnewsyncro »

My Bro in law burned out his laptop using it through an inverter.

I'm not sayin everyone will, but please use a regulated supply for laptops, computers, tvs etc. He had no idea what he was doing and regularly started his van (not a VW!) with it plugged in to the inverter and it melted the power supply socket on the mainbard.

Be careful out there folk
What a long strange trip it's been

User avatar
Mocki
Membership Admin
Posts: 17279
Joined: 29 Sep 2005, 09:27
80-90 Mem No: 428
Location: Mansfield Notts
Contact:

Re: Inverters in your wagons

Post by Mocki »

i have a 300w hard wired in and bolted under the drivers seat, which i can use if there is no other option, but as was said above, its a very inefficient power hungry way of getting 240v.
like the main said, you are using 12vdc to make 240vac to drop it back down to 12vdc (or 18-21vdc for a laptop psu, or 5vdc for a phone charger) makes more sense to just go from 12v up to 18v (or whatever voltage yours is) and uses a lot less power to do it........

another VERY important note: Invertors are notorious for causing vehicle fires, especially croc lead and cig socket connecting ones. Please make sure you have the input supply fused as close to the battery as possible ideally fused on the NEG (black) lead as well. and never ever leave a working invertor unaccompanied
Steve
tel / txt O7947-137911
👀
________________

1989 2.1LpgWBX HiTop Leisuredrive Camper
1988 2.1 Auto Caravelle TS TinTop Camper 
 

Cruz
Registered user
Posts: 3919
Joined: 12 Oct 2005, 10:40
80-90 Mem No: 2092

Re: Inverters in your wagons

Post by Cruz »

Bought one and sold it without ever using it.

72BUG
Registered user
Posts: 2827
Joined: 11 Sep 2009, 08:03
80-90 Mem No: 7393
Location: Bulgaria

Re: Inverters in your wagons

Post by 72BUG »

I bought one to run my telly but the bloody thing's that loud I can't hear the telly with it on.

Then I realized that when I'm camping I don't want to watch the telly anyway and I haven't used it since.
Martin.

Diesel is an engine not a fuel.

I liked camping so much I went full time.

User avatar
Gunslinger
Registered user
Posts: 1426
Joined: 16 Jul 2007, 14:14
80-90 Mem No: 3874
Location: 3874 Leighton Buzzard

Re: Inverters in your wagons

Post by Gunslinger »

horns wrote:Just get a 12v adaptor for your laptop. Much easier and less wasteful.

Agreed. I carry an inverter but have only found it necessary to use it once, otherwise I have 12v adaptors/ chargers for all appliances, camera, laptop, lights etc. Much easier

User avatar
pionte
Registered user
Posts: 549
Joined: 17 Oct 2009, 10:35
80-90 Mem No: 8209
Location: Tonbridge Kent

Re: Inverters in your wagons

Post by pionte »

I was going to hard wire one into the van, Then i bought one of the 150w can style ones for £20, seems to work well for charging my little ones Ds via the usb output. I did run my laptop of it aswell, and It may be coincidence but shortly after my battery on the laptop has given up the ghost and doesnt hold a charge.
2.5 Quad Cam Scooby engine . Westfalia California 1989

User avatar
Mocki
Membership Admin
Posts: 17279
Joined: 29 Sep 2005, 09:27
80-90 Mem No: 428
Location: Mansfield Notts
Contact:

Re: Inverters in your wagons

Post by Mocki »

i would think that is indeed a coincidence.
Steve
tel / txt O7947-137911
👀
________________

1989 2.1LpgWBX HiTop Leisuredrive Camper
1988 2.1 Auto Caravelle TS TinTop Camper 
 

Locked